Stolen Moments

Now, I’m not sure if you’re familiar with the idea of stolen moments but Elizabeth Gilbert introduces this concept in her book Big Magic. (if you haven’t read this book you definitely should.) This is the idea of using all the stolen moments--essentially, the little bit of time we get in between other things, to create. To put those moments to good use.

It’s still the beginning of the year which means most of us are, hopefully, still trucking along with our New Year’s Resolutions or Goals, or whatever you wanna call ‘em. We’re all still trying to figure out the perfect routine to fit in all of our new found hobbies and talents. If you’re anything like me, you’re really freaking struggling to fit in working out, daily bible reading, making herbal remedies for everyday ailments, spanish lessons, online school, whale training classes, spaghetti making lessons, brews with the bros, and work. Let alone eating more than once every few days and staying hydrated with water and not coffee--It’s pretty daunting.

At this point, you may be thinking “Ok yes, I am really busy with my sealion training course but what does that have to do with Stolen Moments and using them.” I’m here to tell you what all of that has to do with each other. To really do that, I’m going to take us back to what exactly a “Stolen Moment” is. It’s basically stealing away to use time that is there but is undervalued, like the early morning hours before everyone is awake, your lunch break, the time you spend in your car driving to work. Now, I want you to do something for me, sit there for a minute and really think about all your “down time.” What do you normally do with it? Scroll through social media? Sleep? (granted, sleeping is important, but it’s ok to wake up a little early)

Just a few days ago, I was complaining (to myself, like how all good complaining happens when you’re an external processor and you’re alone trying to figure something out) about not having enough time during the day, but then I sat there and reevaluated what I’m actually doing with my time and discovered that I have no room to complain. Sure, I’m hella busy, just as we all are, but I have a lot of those Stolen Moments. After that internal dialogue I took it upon myself to change my entire schedule around, because I’m highly organized and a planner, so obviously. I moved my bible time from late at night to first thing when I wake up, then I found a group fitness class to physically go attend right after that, then I go to work. On my lunch break, I practice my spanish and read a book/work on my writing, then after work I spend time with the people I love and SLEEP. This might not be ground breaking, but it’s something we don’t often think about.

We’ve got all the practical figured out, now let’s talk about dreams and the Stolen Moments. Dreams, that can be anything, for me it’s writing books, but the possibilities for dreams are endless. The thing is, we can’t all run off on a 7 month creative retreat in the desert where the cacti will inspire us to make the things we only see in our dreams at night. We’re here, now, in our tiny apartments where our dogs won’t stop barking, or in a house filled with kids who want to color on all the walls. We’ve got to get in where we can fit it in, the Stolen Moments. Get up before the sun, when the house is till quiet, and work on the things that make your heart come alive. Stay up an hour later than normal and practice till your fingers want to fall off. Make it happen. Work hard. The thing about Stolen Moments is that they sound glamorous and beautiful but they’re not they’re messy and tiring but they are so worth it.

Proverbs 13:4

“The soul of the sluggard craves and gets nothing, while the soul of the diligent is richly supplied.”

There is is folks, work hard, get ish done, and see rewards. That’s how it works. Sometimes, the pay off doesn’t come for a long time and you know what? That is ok, you just keep working, in those Stolen Moments. You use the time you’ve got to build the life you dream of. Work hard, breathe deep, and trust that God is going to bless that hard work whether it’s now or later.

Side note, I’d love to hear how you guys use all your Stolen Moments. Shoot me an email or an Insta DM and let me know. Have an amazing week, you’re pretty cool.